Category: Holiday Romance

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Kelly’s review of We’ll Be Home For Christmas by HelenKay Dimon

TITLE: We’ll Be Home for Christmas
AUTHOR: HelenKay Dimon
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/02/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No man likes having his bedroom skills described as forgettable, but that’s just what Lila Payne does when she runs into Spencer Thomas again. When she discovers that he’d lied about his name during their brief three-day romp a few months before, she’s so angry that she pretends she doesn’t remember him.

Spence regrets his deception, but not as much as he regrets that their time together didn’t last longer. When she shows up in his town, looking to revitalize her uncle’s mountain resort, Spence is determined to help. Maybe rescuing Lila from a hopeless renovation project will get him in her good graces—and back in her bed.

Lila has no interest in being rescued, and Spence is insulted by her stubborn rebuffs and her “faulty” memory. But when rehab work turns into an after-hours meeting, the two of them are in for a night that just might prove unforgettable

REVIEW:
This was a fun novella of two people who are looking for something more out of life. A chance encounter at a hotel, three blissful days together only to part ways. But funny thing about fate when you least expect it she throws you a curve ball.

Since this is a novella. I will just say that I loved this story and would suggest you pick up a copy.
Also this novella can be found in the Romancing the Holiday’s Anthology with 2 other wonderful Christmas novella’s

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
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The Favorite Holiday Romance Novel is… JANE’S GIFT by Karen Erickson

Books-N-Kisses is pleased to announce that Jane’s Gift by Karen Erickson was voted the favorite holiday romance for 2012. B-n-K is lucky to have spent a few minutes with Karen to talk about her book.

Welcome Karen! Congratulations on having Jane’s Gift picked as favorite holiday romance.

Why did you want to write a Christmas novel?

 Oh, I love reading Christmas novels/novellas, etc. so I couldn’t resist writing them! In fact, I have a bunch of them I’ve written over the years, contemporary and some historical. I’ve gathered them all in one handy spot on my blog. That page is here: http://karenerickson.blogspot.com/p/bonus-features.html

What makes this holiday novel different than so many others?
 Well, I believe if you’re a fan of the holiday novel, you’re looking for a certain similarity in all of them. The Christmas elements, families getting together, dealing either with a character’s absolute hate for the season or a character’s undying love for it. Falling in love or rekindling love during the Christmas season…ah, I love it!
I think what might make JANE’S GIFT different is that after dealing with a real tragedy, my heroine is determined to gain her life back fully. And she wants to make the holidays special for her children after they’ve lived through such sadness. Being in her hometown with her family helps. Finding a new man and falling in love with him really helps. *winks*
Do you have a favorite holiday novel?
That is such a TOUGH question. There are so many I love, so many new ones come out year after year! I can always count on Jill Shalvis releasing a wonderful holiday novella every year, whether it’s part of an anthology or on its own. The latest Lucky Harbor novella was cute.
What is your favorite part of the holidays?
 Watching my children open their gifts on Christmas morning. Seeing all the excitement on their faces, how happy they are to get what they wanted — and they sometimes get those unexpected gifts too that they end up loving. Love that.
Do you have any Christmas traditions?
I always make frosted sugar cookies with the kids. My grandma did it with me and I’ve continued the tradition on. We make a complete mess but it’s so much fun and the kids are always so creative, it’s worth it.
What books do you have coming out soon?
 2013 is going to be a big year for me, release-wise! I have a lot coming out, including GAME FOR MARRIAGE, which is coming out early in the year from Entangled’s Brazen line. I also have the final book in my Worth It series coming out February 5th from Samhain – WORTH EVERYTHING. Check out my coming soon page for more info: http://karenwritesromance.com/coming-soon/
Finally, what would you like to say to your fans that voted your story their favorite holiday novel?
I want them to know how much I appreciate their support of JANE’S GIFT — thank you to everyone!! I hope this book has touched those who read it as much as it touched me.
Happy Holidays!
Karen

Thank you Karen for spending some time with Books-N-Kisses and congratulations again!

Some of the fans of the novel had this to say about Jane’s Gift.

MichelleW says: I loved that both the hero and heroine were flawed, Jane physically after a fire killed her husband and left her scarred, and Christian was relationship shy (the playboy who didn’t want a woman with baggage). This was such a romantic story about overcoming grief, finding love again and daring to open up to new possibilities. This was a great Holiday read.

flchen1says: Jane’s Gift is such a romantic Christmas read! I love the characters and the healing and the reminder that love is a powerful gift, no matter what time of year!

Sandy T says: This is a touching story of woman who has gone through a terrible tragedy, but is able to find love again with a hero who although is not perfect is the man who brings her back to living a full life. I highly recommend this book.

Kati R says: Jane’s Gift by Karen Erickson. She had me at fire captain. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a man who runs towards fires to save lives. I love this book because it’s a different, more sensual side of Karen’s writing and small town romances are the new vampires 🙂

Want to become a fan of Karen’s? You can reach her at these sites: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Kimberly’s review of The Spirit Of Christmas by Liz Talley

TITLE: The Spirit Of Christmas
AUTHOR: Liz Talley
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/27/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Brennan Henry doesn’t have time for holly and jolly. He’s been too busy boosting the bottom line for the family business. That is, until his eccentric grandfather hands over a lot of money to a stranger on the street. Some nonsense about her being the true spirit of Christmas. Yeah, right. All Brennan can see is he’s now got a situation on his hands with one Mary Paige Gentry.Then he meets Mary Paige. And no matter how deep he searches, it seems she’s the real deal. Kind, compassionate and just enough sass to keep him very intrigued. The spark of attraction between them could land him on the naughty list! But his is still a dollars-and-cents world…unless she can prove there’s more to the season—more to life—than money.

REVIEW:
This is a very cute holiday romance. Brennan is a modern day Scrooge but he has his reasons and it has made him the man he is today. That is until Mary Paige shows him what the Spirit of Christmas is all about.

I enjoyed this story. The characters are very cute together. M.P. might be a little too good but it is hard not to like her. Brennan is a diamond in the rough that you just want to polish. I loved Brennan’s grandfather. What a wonderful old coot he is.

This story makes you think… What can a little kindness to a stranger do for you?

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Rescuing Christmas by Thompson/Mann/DeNosky

TITLE: Rescuing Christmas
AUTHOR: Thompson/Mann/DeNosky
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/30/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
All Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season…is him.

Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn’t sure he’s in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?

A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn’t exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will’s cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love.

REVIEW:
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
4 Stars This is a adorable book. It will make you want to run out and adopt a pet. Tansy is all about the animals and rehabing them but when Ben walks into her life she decides he needs a little rehab himself to realize that he can love animals and people without getting hurt. This book is kind of the white knight in reverse. She saves him from himself. I enjoyed it a lot. Very cute.. and the animals are great!

Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
2 Stars I was not very fond of this story. I appreciate that it also has The Haven (from the 1st in this book) but it is more sad than happy. Alex comes home from leave knowing Shelby has been set to divorce him. They take a car trip to deliver three dogs from The Haven to new families. Shelby hopes it will help their relationship but weirdly they bring along a cameraman (you need to read the first story to understand that) and then after 75+ pages of them not getting along and being snippy to each other they make up and claim they love each other and everything is hunky dorey. Honestly, the reader is left feeling like the relationship will never really work out.

A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
3 Stars This was back to being a good story. It is an on going story from story one and two in this book so it is nice to see how everything ends up. However by the end of it you realize that everything has happened in a matter of weeks and it just seems a little bit pushed. However this is a cute story with Will, Macie and an adorable puppy named Harley.

The combination of all these stories is cute and the bit of holiday in the books can put you in the mood for the holidays as well as making you want to run out and adopt a pet.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Let It Snow by Leslie Kelley/Jennifer LaBrecque

TITLE: Let It Snow: The Prince Who Stole Christmas/My True Love Gave To Me
AUTHOR: Leslie Kelley/Jennifer LaBrecque
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/13/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Prince Who Stole Christmas by Leslie Kelly
Between her ne’er-do-well brother and her candy shop, Claire Hoffman has her hands full. But when sexy sparks start flying between Claire and her gorgeous but enigmatic tenant “Phil,” Claire wonders if all the chocolate has made her a little Christmas crazy. But what will happen to her fantasy when her dishy fling tells her that, er, …he’s actually a prince?

My True Love Gave to Me… by Jennifer LaBrecque
Years ago in the town of Good Riddance, Alaska, Gertie and Knox were best friends—until Knox fell under the “spell” of a rather cold, remote woman. But three years later, Knox and Gertie are reunited at the Chrismoose festival…and all it takes is a snowed-in night in a cabin for Gertie to turn Knox’s chill into a red-hot blaze of sexstasy!

REVIEW:
The Prince Who Stole Christmas
3 Stars Ok, First the reader should know that Philip is from another planet. The synopsis doesn’t say anything about that but I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t sure why lights go on with a switch or what a pair of jeans are. I am not really into the whole from another planet thing so I wasn’t too interested in this story. Taking that away the characters are interesting and the story is good. I am not sure I would classify it as a holiday romance since there is not much about Christmas in it.

My True Love Gave to Me…
3 Stars This was just ok. The story is good and has a lot of potential the problem is that the characters just do not mesh well together. There is no spark with them. Yes the story has a nice background and a understanding of why things happened but you just never feel that spark. And while it does take place during the holiday season there is not much of a holiday feel to the story either. Something was just missing from this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Under The Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Under the Mistletoe – Lucky Harbor #6.5 (Novella)
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/4/12
ORDER LINKS: Under the Mistletoe(Amazon) | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
JUST ONE MORE KISS

There’s no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts-and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he’s overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia’s love for a lifetime.

REVIEW:
This is a very short story from the Lucky Harbor series. And I just have to say Nick is wonderful. I think I am in love. Yes he messes up (don’t most men) but there is just something about him that is just too sweet not to love. Mia is adorable too.

I just started on the Lucky Harbor series so I was not sure of all the characters even though some of them had been introduced in some of the other stories but you do not really need the background for this short novella.

It is a wonderful short read even a Lucky Harbor novice would enjoy!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Season For Surrender by Theresa Romain

TITLE: Season For Surrender
AUTHOR: Theresa Romain
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/02/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Honor Among Rogues
Alexander Edgeware, Lord Xavier, has quite a reputation—for daring, wagering, and wickedness in all its delightful forms. But the wager before him is hardly his preferred sport: Xavier must persuade a proper young lady to attend his famously naughty Christmas house party—and stay the full, ruinous two weeks. Worse, the lady is Louisa Oliver, a doe-eyed bookworm Xavier finds quite charming. Yet to refuse the challenge is impossible—he will simply have to appoint himself Miss Oliver’s protector…

Mischief Among Misses
Louisa knows her chance for a husband has passed. But she has no desire to retire into spinsterhood without enjoying a few grand adventures first. When Lord Xavier’s invitation arrives, Louisa is more intrigued than insulted. And once inside the rogues’ gallery, she just may have a thing or two to teach her gentlemen friends about daring…

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars What a delightful story. I did not want to miss a word of it. The story was really enjoyable and the characters are written with such depth. I do think it was a bit too long (maybe 50 pages or so) and it took a bit too long for the characters to come together but the story leading up to it was so good that it makes up for it. There is something about Xavier that appeals to the reader. He is not an alpha male nor do we see the rake in him. What the reader sees is a male who begins his journey to realizing that every man has to grow up at some point and now is his time. And with Louisa we read of a woman who just wants to come out of the shadows and find happiness. Together they end up connecting on a level that neither knew they had.

It looks like this might be the second book that the author has written and I can’t imagine how much better she could possibly get with time and stories under her belt since this book is close to perfect. It also looks like the first book the author wrote was the beginning of The Seasons Series but this book can most certainly be read alone. I did and I didn’t even know another book had been written until after I finished this book.

Any fan of the historical romance genre will without a doubt enjoy this book. It has everything that a fan could want. I would recommend any fan to run out and pick it up.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Babycakes by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Babycakes
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/30/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Molten Chocolate…Cinnamon Spice…Gingerbread…Old-Fashioned Vanilla…You can’t stop at just one.

And the women of the Cupcake Club love to indulge…

Kit Bellamy was raised on pie. Mamie Sue’s Peanut Pies, to be exact, the family company her scheming brother-in-law sold out from under her. Now Kit needs a new recipe for her life—and sleepy Sugarberry Island is the first ingredient. Running mail-order cupcake business Babycakes is a chance to get her baking on again—until she meets tall, dark, and adorable lawyer Morgan Westlake. New to the island to raise his goddaughter, he’s as mouthwatering as any of Kit’s creations. It’s just her luck that he’s the spawn of the very law firm that helped crush her dreams…

Fortunately, Kit’s new friends can assure her that Morgan is no typical Westlake—and that even lawyers, not to mention single dads, need romance. If Kit can just be persuaded to follow her appetite—and set another place at her holiday table—her sweetest dreams just might come true…

REVIEW:
What an adorable book. The characters of Kit and Morgan are wonderful but it is Lilly that I could not help but fall for. After a bumpy start the couple and Lilly make a delightful family.

You can tell when you start this book that it is part of a series and having not read the other two books before it I was a bit confused on who was who but after a while you are able to put the others in the background and what a bunch of characters they are as well.

What I enjoyed most for the romance of not just Kit and Morgan but of Morgan and Lilly (uncle & niece), the romance of the friends Kit makes at the bakery and even the romance with the island they come to adore. Maybe that is not romance in the typical word but the loving friendship/family these characters bring out has more romance than some novels I have read.

If you are a fan of romance then this is not to be missed. Fair warning: This book will send you to your internet browser to see pictures of baby sea turtle and having you fall in love with them.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free from the author.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of A Gift For All Seasons by Karen Templeton

TITLE: A Gift For All Seasons
AUTHOR: Karen Templeton
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hiring Patrick Shaughnessy to landscape her new inn was strictly a business arrangement. Until April Ross got to know the war-scarred single father…and his irrepressible little girl. Patrick made it clear he wasn’t looking for romance. Neither was April. But could she make him see that some risks were worth taking? The lively, widowed blonde might be the most tempting woman Patrick had ever known, but the returning vet knew a happy ending wasn’t in the cards. Still, that was before April started working her magic on his daughter…and on him. Maybe this Christmas was a time for new beginnings—if Patrick had the courage to go with the powerful feelings April had awakened in him….

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is very cute holiday read. It is pretty typical of the holiday story (even movie) that we see so much of. Man thinks his life has to wrap around his kid, he can’t love both, he’s been hurt before… Woman has a heart as big as all outdoors and proves to him he can love and be loved. That being said it is written very well. Patrick is a wounded vet with scars inside and out who the reader will fall in love with. April is a little too goody goody for me but I enjoyed her anyway. Lili is adorable but anyone with a four year old will be thinking to themselves she acts younger but talks older which was a big contradiction.

I am not sure it was much of a holiday story either. Yes, there is a Christmas decorating scene but not much else. This book could be read at anytime and be enjoyed. If you enjoy a good old fashion romance then you will love this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray

TITLE: No Mistletoe Required
AUTHOR: Jeanette Murray
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/05/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dan Beckins isn’t sure how he let his best friend con him into volunteering to build Santa’s Winter Wonderland at the local hospital. He’s got no problems with charity work, but anything Christmas-related is off-limits ever since he lost his parents on Christmas Day years ago. The only bright spot is working with smoking-hot Anna Smith.

Anna Smith loves Christmas and volunteering at the hospital is one of her yearly highlights. She had leukemia as a teen and then a breast cancer scare in her mid-twenties, and is now operating under a self-imposed rule that she can’t have a relationship until the doctors give her a clean bill of health.

A little fling might be permissible, though, and sexy lawyer-turned-carpenter Dan seems like the perfect candidate. But when chemistry flares and the two start forming a real connection, will Anna run away before like turns to love?

REVIEW:
This is a cute short holiday story. It is only about 70 reading pages so it is perfect for that quick read snuggled up on the couch by the Christmas tree with the fireplace lit.

Because it is such a short story everything happens really quick… the whole “love at first sight” thing which is hard for me… but that being said it is such a cute story it is worth the read. I enjoyed the characters and even though it is short you do feel the connection as well as the resistance between this couple. It could have even enjoyed a few more chapters of us seeing Dan and Anna with the hospital kids.

If you enjoy a good holiday romance this is a great one.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Baby Under The Christmas Tree by Teresa Carpenter

TITLE: Baby Under The Christmas Tree
AUTHOR: Teresa Carpenter
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/27/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
San Diego hockey team’s PR director Elle Austin goes beyond the call of duty to keep their rebel captain in check—even playing nanny to his son! Max Beasley knows nothing about looking after a baby, so he enlists Elle’s help after little Troy is left on his doorstep by his irresponsible ex.

Maybe it’s the spirit of Christmas, or seeing Max’s softer side, but Elle wishes he saw her as more than just an employee, and that they could give Troy the best gift of all—a family!

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars This is a very sweet story. I am not sure it is a holiday story though. The Christmas part only takes place in the last 20 or so pages and barely much at that so this story can be read anytime of year.

The connection between Max and Elle is perfect. Max is a great guy who has a past to overcome and Elle is looking for her Mr. Right but is her Mr. Right who she expects it to be?

This is a perfect lay around the house read. Grab a cup of coffee, curl up on the couch in front of the fire and enjoy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts